By Staff
Jerry Fancher
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-California) used her power as Speaker of the House to put the citizens of the United States at a greater risk for another terror attack.
After the Senate passed The Protect America Act with 68 bipartisan votes, Speaker Pelosi did not allow the House of Representatives to have the opportunity to debate and vote on the extension of The Protect America Act. This bill would have allowed U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor foreigner-to-foreigner communications without a warrant.
This led to a House Republican walk out last week. Minority Leader John Boehner said, "We will not stand idly by and watch the floor of the United States House of Representatives be abused for pure, political grandstanding at the expense of our national security."
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich commented about Speaker Pelosi's drastic actions, "Why, not because the bill lacked bipartisan support, but because it lacked trial lawyer support. The Senate bill contains a provision granting immunity from lawsuits to telecommunications companies that have been cooperating with the government in the War on Terror."
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) said, "This is not about protecting Americans. The President just wants to protect American telephone companies."
The Senate and White House were able to reach a compromise to draft this important extension, because they valued the security of the United States over their party's desires. Missing the vote in the Senate were Senators Clinton and Obama. Why would they miss this opportunity to cast their vote and let us know if they will protect America? Why have they not called on Speaker Pelosi to bring this issue to a vote?
Call Speaker Pelosi and ask her to bring this important issue to a debate in the House of Representatives. Her office phone number is 202-225-4965.
On a personal note, Judy and I have a new granddaughter; Hallie Jean Fancher was born on Monday February 18, 2008 to Michael and Merideth Fancher. Yes, we do have pictures.
Jerry Fancher is Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Executive Committee. He can be reached via email at fancherjd@yahoo.com